Improvement in ball-traps



T. M. SMITH.

Ball-Trap.

Patented April 29, I879.

FIG- I INVEN o "-FEIERS, FHOTO-LITHOGRAPKER, WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEFIoE.

THOMAS M. SMITH, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

IM PROVEM ENT IN BALL-TRAPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 214,962, dated April29, 1879; application filed February 26, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS M. SMITH, of the city of Baltimore and Stateof Maryland, have invented certain Improvements in Ball- Traps, of whichthe following is a specification; and I do hereby declare that inthesame is contained a full, clear, and exact description of my saidinvention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference marked thereon.

This invention consists in combining, with the hinged bar or leveremployed to project the ball, an extensible spring secured at one end,at a point above the hinge of the bar, and at the other to the baritself, between the hinge and the end which receives the ball, ashereinafter set forth.

The object of the invention is to avoid the use of the elastic arms usedfor projecting the balls, which become weakened by constant use, andwhich have other disadvantages attendant upon the use thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows the application of the invention, arubber spring being used. Fig. 2 shows, as a modification of theinvention, the application of a wirespiral spring.

A is the spring, which is secured to the bar 11 forward of the hinge c.The other end of the spring is held at c by the standard 0 which iselevated above the hinge, as shown.

When the bar is depressed, as shown by the full lines in Fig. 1, thespring is lengthened, and a certain strain applied thereto. When the baris released, as shown in Fig. 1 by dotted lines, the spring A is theagent which causes the upward movement of the bar, by reason of itsrecovering its original length.

The spring shown in Fig. 1 may be made of rubber, united with some otherflexible substance to add to its strength.

In Fig. 2 the spring is shown made of wire, and of spiral form.

I make no claim in this application to the construction of the severalseparate parts of the trap, nor to any combination of such parts, exceptto such combination as forms the subject of the following claim.

Having, therefore, described my invention, I claim as new and wish tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States The hinged bar I) andstandard 0 elevated above the hinge 0, combined, in a ball-trap, withthe extensible spring A, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 15th day ofFebruary, A. D. 1879.

THOMAS M. SMITH. Witnesses:

JAMES F. PEARSON, JAMES R. MYERS.

